Enugu: Ogalla, Igbo-Eze North LG Chair suspends security levy on luxury ceremonies

Enugu: Ogalla, Igbo-Eze North LG Chair suspends security levy on luxury ceremonies

Madu Okenyi

The Executive Chairman of Igboeze North local Government Area, Enugu State, Hon Uchenna Michael Ogalla has announced the suspension of the N50.000 proposed levy/ security support on luxury ceremonies in the council area.

The LG Chairman also constituted a 20-man Committee to review community cultural practices,  issues and policies as well as revenue strategies to the local government so as to advise the government on better ways to streamline and strengthen its  cultural activities in order to  enhance quality living and  promote the security and welfare of the people.

Igbo-Eze North LGA was in the news recently following reactions on the social media over the reported introduction of the payment of N50,000 levy on those holding luxury ceremonies and social events in the communities within the council area.

But while providing clarity on the issue yesterday at the council headquarters, Ogrute, Enugu-Ezike, the Igbo-Eze North Mayor, Hon. Ogalla said during a Stakeholders Interactive Session, that some sections of the public misunderstood the motive of the proposed harmonized security levy.

He called on the citizens to reach out to the Government and its functionaries and ask questions on policies and programmes of the government around them so as to get the clearer position before actions.

He noted that the said purported levy which few individuals misconstrued and were complaining about have been operational in the communities as funds people paid during ceremonies to support the local securities but government only tried to harmonise and streamline it to reduce suffering among the citizens.

He said the fund was meant to support the local security and not to generate revenue for the Local Government.

“But as a Chairman with a listening ear and to prove that our government is for the people, and as the father of all in Igbo-Eze North today, I hereby announce the suspension of Igbo-Eze North Security Support on luxurious ceremonies forthwith”, he stated.

He charged the communities to revert to the status quo in the settling of vigilante groups during luxury ceremonies in the villages while the appointed committees will holistically review the various cultural issues and advise the government accordingly on the right steps to follow in implementation.

More so, the Chairman used the occasion to brief the people about the upcoming 200 hectare farm settlement that is to be established in the political wards of Igboeze North and urged all the wards to hasten up in getting the needed land for the takeoff.  He said the Gov. Peter Mbah administration is leaving no stone unturned in its determination to ensure all round development across all parts of the state.

Meanwhile, Hon. Luke Apeh, SSA to the Chairman on Culture and Tourism has been announced as the Chairman of the Cultural Review Committee.

A statement signed by Sydney Eze, SSA to the Executive Chairman on Media and Publicity stated that a legal practitioner, Onuora Odoh will also serve as the Secretary of the Committee.

Eze stated that the Council Chairman, Hon. Ogalla constituted the committee as a deft move aimed at preserving and modernizing local traditions, across communities in the LGA.